GPHY 150
Human Geography
Summer Term 2025 |
Instructor: Staff |
Total sessions: 25 Sessions |
Office Hours: TBA |
Session Length: 145 Minutes |
Classroom: TBA |
Credits: 3 Units |
Class Length: 7 Weeks |
Language: English |
Course Overview:
This course explores the spatial and cultural dynamics of human activity on Earth. Students will investigate patterns of population, urbanization, migration, cultural landscapes, and global economic systems, while understanding their implications for sustainability and policymaking. Topics include urban development, globalization, cultural diffusion, and resource management, with case studies to illustrate global and local dynamics. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to analyze human-environment interactions and apply geographic knowledge to real-world challenges.
Required Material:
James Rubenstein, Cultural Landscape, The: An Introduction to Human Geography 13th edition, Pearson, 2019.
Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze spatial patterns and processes shaping human activity.
2. Understand and critique cultural, political, and economic landscapes.
3. Examine the dynamics of population growth, migration, and urbanization.
4. Evaluate the effects of globalization on regional and global systems and propose sustainable solutions for managing human-environment interactions.
Course Outline: Week 1:
Lecture 1-4: Introduction to Human Geography
Lecture 1: Fundamentals of Human Geography
o Fundamentals of Human Geography
o Geographic tools: maps and spatial analysis
Lecture 2: Population Patterns and Demographics
o Population growth, density, and distribution
o Case study: China's one-child policy
Lecture 3: Geographic Thinking and Spatial Patterns
o Regional analysis and spatial interaction
o Human and physical geography linkages
Lecture 4: Population Policies and Challenges
o Aging populations and youth bulges
o Case study: Population policies in Africa
Assignment 1
More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 2:
Lecture 5-8: Migration and Urbanization
Lecture 5: Geospatial Technologies
o GIS and remote sensing in human geography
o Applications in urban planning and disaster management
Lecture 6: Migration Theories and Patterns
o Push and pull factors of migration
o Case study: Refugee crises
Lecture 7: Historical Migration Trends
o Colonial migration and transatlantic movements
o Case study: The Great Migration in the U.S.
Lecture 8: Urbanization in the Global South
o Challenges in rapidly growing cities
Week 3:
Lecture 9-12: Urban System and Cultural Landscapes
Lecture 9: Urban Systems and Hierarchies
o Models of urban structure (e.g., concentric zone model)
o Case study: Urban systems in Europe
Lecture 10: Smart Cities and Urban Innovations
o Technologies shaping future urban living
Lecture 11: Cultural Diffusion and Globalization
o How culture spreads: Language, religion, and identity.
o Case study: Globalization's impact on indigenous cultures
Lecture 12: Cultural Landscapes and Built Environments
o How humans shape landscapes
o Case study: Sacred sites and religious architecture
Week 5:
Lecture 13-15: Case Study and Midterm
Lecture 13: Linguistic Geography
o Global language patterns and endangered languages
o Case study: Revival of Celtic languages
Lecture 14: Ethnicity and Identity in Geography
o Spatial patterns of ethnicity and diversity
o Case study: Multiculturalism in Canada
Lecture 15: Globalization vs. Local Culture
o Cultural homogenization and resistance.
o Case study: Fast food and global culture
Midterm Exam: multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions (Contains topics in Lecture 1-15)
Week 6:
Lecture 16-20: Economic Systems and Development
Lecture 16: Global Economic Systems
o Trade, industry, and economic inequality
Lecture 17: Economic Development and Indicators
o HDI, GDP, and beyond.
Lecture 18: Industrial Geography
o Global distribution of industries.
o Case study: Rise of China as a manufacturing hub.
Lecture 19: Agricultural and Land Use
o Rural landscapes and food security.
o Case study: Sustainable farming practices.
Lecture 20: Environmental Economics
o Natural resource management and the economy
o Case study: Ecotourism in Costa Rica
Assignment 2
More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 7:
Lecture 21-25: Human-Environment Interactions
Lecture 21: Environmental Challenges and Policies
o Climate change and resource depletion.
o Case study: Urban sustainability in Europe.
Lecture 22: Human Adaptation to Natural Hazards
o Earthquakes, floods, and human resilience.
o Case study: Disaster management in Japan.
Lecture 23: Environmental Justice
o Inequalities in resource access and pollution.
o Case study: Environmental racism in the U.S.
Lecture 24: Conservation and Sustainability
o Protected areas and biodiversity.
o Case study: Amazon rainforest conservation.
Lecture 25: Future of Human Geography
o Technology and sustainable development
o Case study: Smart cities
Final Exam: multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions (Contains topics in All Lectures)
Grading Assessment:
Assignment 1 |
15% |
Assignment 2 |
15% |
Midterm |
30% |
Final exam |
30% |
Seminar Participation |
10% |
Total |
100% |
Assignments:
Students are required to write two essays during the semester, media analysis essays of popular culture and a comparison of identity in different geography. Each ranges between 800-1000 words. The essays should demonstrate analytical thinking, clear organization, and proper use of evidence to support arguments. Grading will assess the clarity of writing, logic, grammar, and syntax, alongside the depth of analysis and proper citation of references. Specific requirements regarding topics and deadlines will be provided during the course. Essays will be submitted
electronically, and students will receive feedback on the first essay to guide improvement for the second.
Attendance:
Students are required to attend a weekly seminar led by TA to focus on the week's topic and deepen understanding. Seminar time assigned by TA. Seminar attendance counts toward the final grade.
Exams:
The examinations in this course consist of multiple choice, short answer and long answer
questions. The final exam is cumulative.
Final Evaluation:
Letter Grade |
Percentage (%) |
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
A+ |
≥95 |
C+ |
64-67 |
A |
89-94 |
C |
60-64 |
A- |
84-88 |
C- |
56-59 |
B+ |
79-83 |
D+ |
54-56 |
B |
73-78 |
D |
50-53 |
B- |
68-72 |
F |
≤50 |
General Policies:
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of academia and requires students and researchers to
maintain honesty, fairness, trust and responsibility in all academic activities. It includes not only avoiding dishonest behaviors such as plagiarism, cheating, and falsifying data, but also requires taking responsibility for one's own academic actions and ensuring that all work is done
independently and accurately cites the research of others. Violations of academic integrity can result in severe academic penalties, such as zero grades, suspension or even expulsion, and can cause serious damage to an individual's reputation and future career. Upholding academic
integrity is therefore essential to promoting a fair academic environment and facilitating the authentic dissemination of knowledge.
Accessible Resources Policy
The policy ensures that all students, especially those with disabilities, are able to participate equally in school learning and activities. The school provides a wide range of accessibility resources including, but not limited to, specialized classrooms, hearing aids, Braille textbooks, assistive technology, and flexible testing arrangements. Students are required to apply to the school in advance and provide appropriate medical or psychological evaluations so that an
individualized support plan can be developed for them. This policy is designed to remove barriers in the academic environment and to ensure that every student has access to equitable learning opportunities.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may choose to withdraw from a course within a specified period of time, and may not be able to do so after the expiration date. When withdrawing from a course, students are required to fill out a withdrawal form with a reason, which will be reviewed and processed on a case-by- case basis. Withdrawal from a course may not affect the student's academic performance. If a student withdraws from a course with incomplete requirements, a “W” may be assigned instead of a grade, depending on the course.
